The omicron variant is thought to cause less olfactory dysfunction than previous variants of SARS-CoV-2, but the reported prevalence differs greatly between populations and studies. Our systematic review and meta-analysis provide information about regional differences in prevalence as well as an estimate of the global prevalence of olfactory dysfunction based on 41 studies reporting on nearly 600,000 patients infected with the omicron variant. Our estimate of the omicron-induced prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in populations of European ancestry is 11.6%, while it is significantly lower in all other populations, at 2.9-5.4%. When ethnic differences and population sizes are taken into account, the global prevalence of omicron-induced hyposmia in adults is estimated at 5.2%. Omicron9s effect on olfaction is 3-4fold lower than that of the alpha or delta variant, according to previous meta-analyses and our analysis of studies that directly compared prevalence of olfactory dysfunction between omicron and previous variants. The profile of prevalence differences between ethnicities mirrors the results of a recent genome-wide association study that implicated a gene locus encoding an odorant-metabolizing enzyme, UDP glycosyltransferase, to be linked to the extent of COVID-related loss of smell. Our analysis is consistent with the hypothesis that this enzyme contributes to the observed population differences.
We tracked the effective reproduction number Rt of Omicron BF.7 in Beijing in November-December 2022 by fitting a transmission dynamic model parameterized with real-time mobility data to (i) the daily number of new symptomatic cases on November 1-11 (when the zero-covid interventions were still strictly enforced) and (ii) the proportion of individuals who participated in online polls on December 10-14 and self-reported to have been previously test-positive. After the announcement of “20 measures”, we estimated that Rt increased to 3.42 (95% CrI: 2.79-4.17) on November 18. Infection incidence peaked on December 10, and the cumulative infection attack rate was 42.5% (95% CrI: 20.3-63.9) on December 14. Surveillance programmes should be rapidly set up to monitor the evolving epidemiology and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 across China.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated containment measures had a substantial impact on pathogens causing pneumonia in adults. The objective of this study was to determine the etiology of hospitalized community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) among adults in Germany in 2021, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Since January 2021, this on-going, prospective, population-based surveillances study enrolled adult patients with clinically and radiographically confirmed CAP at three hospitals in Thuringia, Germany, serving a population of approximately 280,000. Urine samples were collected from patients and tested for S. pneumoniae using the pneumococcal urinary antigen test (PUAT, BinaxNOW S. pneumoniae) and the proprietary serotype-specific urinary antigen detection (UAD) assays. Nasopharyngeal swabs were tested for 10 respiratory viruses by PCR. Results: A total of 797 patients were enrolled, of whom 760 were included in the analysis. The median age of patients with CAP was 67 years; in-hospital case-fatality rate was 8.4%. A respiratory pathogen was detected in 553 (72.8%) patients. The most common pathogen was SARS-CoV-2 (n=498, 68.2%), followed by S. pneumoniae (n=40, 6.4%). Serotypes contained in the 13-valent, 15-valent and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine were detected in 42.5%, 45.0%, and 70.0% of the pneumococcal CAP cases. Between the first and second half of 2021, the proportion of CAP cases associated with S. pneumoniae increased from 1.1% to 5.6% in patients aged 18-59 years and from 2.5% to 12.4% in those aged ≥60 years; coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and S. pneumoniae among COVID-19 patients increased from 0.7% (2/283 cases) to 6.0% (13/215) in patients aged ≥18 years, and from 1.0% (2/195) to 8.7% (11/127) in those aged ≥60 years. Conclusion: In Germany, the proportion of CAP cases associated with S. pneumoniae rebounded to a near-pandemic level in the second half of 2021 and many pneumococcal infections occurred in patients with COVID-19. Vaccination uptake against respiratory pathogens, including S. pneumoniae, should be strengthened.
Vaccination against COVID-19 has mitigated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection, decreasing the probability of progression to severe disease and death in vaccinated people. Parallel to the development and administration of COVID-19 vaccines, the immune response induced by the different vaccine platforms has been investigated, mainly, in the adult population. However, since the approval of the vaccines for use in pediatric individuals was a posteriori, vaccination began later in this population. This, added to the difficulty in obtaining blood samples from pediatric individuals, has led to less knowledge about the humoral immune response following vaccination in children. In this work, we analyzed the humoral response induced by vaccination in children through a non-invasive approach such as the measurement of specific salivary antibodies. Our results showed a high prevalence of specific salivary antibodies (81%), with the highest levels of antibodies being observed in those children who had three doses, a greater number of exposures and a shorter interval time between the last exposure to SARS-CoV-2 antigens and saliva collection. These results agree with those reported for the systemic humoral immune response in vaccinated adults, suggesting the administration of booster doses in children to maintain high antibody levels. Therefore, determination of salivary antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 could be a non-invasive tool for disease surveillance, vaccination follow-up and to assist vaccination strategies against COVID-19.
Introduction: COVID-19 survivors who have mental health issues are more likely to have a lower quality of life, reduced work productivity, social troubles, and other health issues. However, information on the mental health of COVID-19 survivors is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to determine the COVID-19 survivors9 mental health status in the form of depression and its associated factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in Malaysia, from July to September 2021, during a nationwide lockdown. Data was collected using an online questionnaire shared on social and news media. Socio-demographic variables, comorbidities, self-perception of health, information on the person’s acute condition during COVID-19 infection, symptoms and duration of symptoms post-COVID, and state of depression were gathered. The Patient Health Questionnaire 9 was used to assess depression. Factors associated with mild to severe depression were analysed using both univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Results: A total of 732 COVID-19 survivors responded to the survey. The respondents were mainly females and of younger age (in their 20s and 30s). Two-thirds perceived themselves to be in good health. One in five reported to have experienced Long COVID. Slightly less than half (47.3%) of the respondents had mild to severe depression (total PHQ-9 score of 5 -27). In the multivariable analysis, being female (aOR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.08,2.62), of younger age (20s – aOR: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.47, 7.25; 30s – aOR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.05, 4.15; and 40s – aOR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.20, 4.90; compared to those in the 50s and above), being overweight/obese (aOR: 1.83; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.83), having Long COVID (aOR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.45, 4.16) and perceiving to have poorer health (aOR: 4.54; 95% CI: 2.89, 7.13) were associated with mild to severe depression. Conclusion: Females, younger age groups, being overweight/obese, having Long COVID and perceiving to be in poor health were factors associated with higher odds for mild to severe depression.
Background In mid-2021, widespread availability of COVID-19 vaccines with demonstrated impacts on transmission promised relief from the strict public health and social measures (PHSMs) imposed in many countries to limit spread and burden. We were asked to define vaccine coverage thresholds for transition through the stages of Australia9s 9National Plan9 to easing restrictions and reopening international borders. Methods Using available evidence of vaccine effectiveness against the then-circulating Delta variant, we used a mathematical model to determine vaccine coverage targets. The absence of any COVID-19 infections in many sub-national jurisdictions in Australia posed particular methodological challenges for modelling in this setting. We used a novel metric called Transmission Potential (TP) as a proxy measure of the population-level effective reproduction number. We estimated TP of the Delta variant under a range of PHSMs, test-trace-isolate-quarantine (TTIQ) efficiencies, vaccination coverage thresholds, and age-based vaccine allocation strategies. Findings We found that high coverage of vaccination across all age groups (≥ 70) combined with ongoing TTIQ and minimal PHSMs was sufficient to avoid strict lockdowns. At lesser coverage (≤ 60%) rapid case escalation risked overwhelming of the health sector and would prompt a need to reimpose strict restrictions, with substantive economic impacts in order to achieve the goals of the National Plan. Maintaining low case numbers was the most beneficial strategy for health and the economy, and at higher coverage levels (≥ 80%) further easing of restrictions was deemed possible. Interpretation These results reinforced recommendations from other modelling groups that some level of PHSMs should be continued to minimise the burden of the Delta variant following achievement of high population vaccine coverage. They directly informed easing of COVID-19 restrictions in Australia. Funding This study was supported by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, and the National Health and Medical Research Council9s Centre of Research Excellence scheme (GNT1170960).
Preservation at ultra-low temperatures has been a gold standard for long-term storage of many types of clinical specimens including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The frozen specimens can be easily transported and tested later. In addition, de-identified frozen remnant samples are resources for many preclinical or clinical studies. It is therefore crucial to understand whether freeze and thaw cycles (FTCs) can adversely affect SARS-CoV-2 test performance when frozen samples are tested. Some early studies suggest that the FTCs increased the cycles threshold (Ct) of RT-PCR indicating the potential degradation of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid after FTCs, while the others did not report any significant changes in the SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acids after the FTCs. Moreover, the impact of FTCs on the performance of the SARS-CoV-2 antigen test is scarcely reported. In this study, we performed paired nucleic acid and rapid antigen tests on the same samples to investigate and directly compare how FTCs affect the performance of two types of tests. Both inactivated viral culture fluid samples and clinical remnant samples were studied. Our results showed that FTCs had minimal negative effects on the performance of the rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen test, and the test results remained largely consistent throughout the FTCs, whereas the Ct values of RT-PCR increased with the increase of the FTC numbers. In addition, our data also demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 is preserved better in VTM than PBS during FTCs in regard to nucleic acid testing.
As the U.S. faces a worsening overdose crisis, improving access to evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD) remains a central policy priority. Federal regulatory changes in response to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly expanded flexibilities on take-home doses for methadone treatment for OUD. These changes have fueled critical questions about the impact of new regulations on OUD outcomes, and the potential health impact of permanently integrating these flexibilities into treatment policy going forward. To aide US policy makers as they consider implementing permanent methadone regulatory changes, we conducted a review synthesizing peer-reviewed research evidence on the impact of the COVID-19 methadone-take-home flexibilities on methadone program operations, OUD patient and provider experiences, and patient health outcomes. We interpret this evidence in the context of the federal rulemaking process and discuss avenues by which these important findings can be incorporated and implemented into U.S. substance use treatment policy going forward.
A Study for Immunocompromised Patients for Pre Exposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 With AZD5156. - Condition: COVID 19
Interventions: Biological: Placebo; Biological: AZD5156; Biological: AZD7442 (EVUSHELD™)
Sponsor: AstraZeneca
Not yet recruiting
COVID-19 Huashi Baidu Formula Clinical Study - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Drug: Huashi Baidu Granule; Drug: Monapiravir
Sponsors: Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences; Beijing YouAn Hospital; Kossamak Hospital; Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Not yet recruiting
Shaping Care Home COVID-19 Testing Policy - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Diagnostic Test: Lateral Flow Device
Sponsor: University College, London
Not yet recruiting
Baldachin: Ceiling HEPA-filtration to Prevent Nosocomial Transmission of COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Device: Baldachin
Sponsor: University Hospital Inselspital, Berne
Not yet recruiting
Asunercept for the Treatment of Patients With Moderate to Severe COVID-19 Disease - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: Asunercept; Other: Placebo
Sponsor: Apogenix AG
Recruiting
Study in Adults to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Inhaled IBIO123, for Post-exposure Prophylaxis of COVID-19 - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: IBIO123; Other: Placebo
Sponsor: Immune Biosolutions Inc
Not yet recruiting
A PhaseⅡ Study to Evaluate the Safety & Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha/Beta/Delta/Omicron Variants COVID-19 Vaccine - Condition: COVID-19 Pandemic
Interventions: Biological: SCTV01E; Biological: Placebo (normal saline)
Sponsor: Sinocelltech Ltd.
Not yet recruiting
The Efficacy of Azvudine and Paxlovid in High-risk Patients With COVID-19: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial - Condition: SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Interventions: Drug: Azvudine; Drug: Paxlovid group
Sponsors: Southeast University, China; Hohhot First Hospital, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China
Recruiting
Effectiveness of Supportive Psychotherapy Through Internet-Based Teleconsultation on Psychological and Somatic Symptoms, Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio, and Heart Rate Variability in Post Covid-19 Syndrome Patients - Condition: Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Intervention: Behavioral: Supportive Psychotherapy
Sponsor: Indonesia University
Not yet recruiting
Graphene Photothermal Adjuvant Therapy for Mild Corona Virus Disease 2019: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Device: Graphene spectrum light wave therapy room
Sponsors: Southeast University, China; Hohhot First Hospital
Recruiting
Post-COVID-19 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Conditions: Post-COVID-19 Syndrome; Post-COVID Syndrome
Intervention: Drug: Synthetic Vitamin B1
Sponsors: ClinAmygate; As-Salam Center, Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
Not yet recruiting
A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Variant (BA.4 /5) mRNA Vaccine - Condition: COVID-19
Interventions: Biological: ABO1020; Biological: Placebo
Sponsor: Suzhou Abogen Biosciences Co., Ltd.
Active, not recruiting
Prednisolone and Vitamin B1/6/12 in Patients With Post-Covid-Syndrome - Condition: Post-COVID-19 Syndrome
Interventions: Drug: Prednisolone 20 mg/ 5 mg; Drug: Vitamin B compound (100mg B1, 50 mg B6, 500 µg B12); Drug: Placebo for Vitamin B compound; Drug: Placebo for Prednisolon
Sponsors: Wuerzburg University Hospital; University Hospital Tuebingen; University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein
Recruiting
Effects of an Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention - Conditions: Nurse’s Role; COVID-19 Pandemic; Mental Stress
Interventions: Behavioral: Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction by Therapeutic VR; Behavioral: Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction
Sponsor: Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
Active, not recruiting
Communicating Uncertainty - Protocol for Randomized Trial - Condition: COVID-19
Intervention: Other: Overall uncertainty language
Sponsors: Trustees of Dartmouth College; Norwegian Institute of Public Health
Not yet recruiting
SARS-CoV-2 viral protein ORF3A injures renal tubules by interacting with TRIM59 to induce STAT3 activation - No abstract
In vitro screening of anti-viral and virucidal effects against SARS-CoV-2 by Hypericum perforatum and Echinacea - No abstract
Serum 25-hydroxycholesterol levels are increased in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 - No abstract
A leap towards personalised therapy of acute lung injury - No abstract
Ginkgolic acids inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and its variants by blocking the spike protein/ACE2 interplay - No abstract
COVID-19 signalome: Potential therapeutic interventions - No abstract
Astegolimab or Efmarodocokin Alfa in Patients With Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Randomized, Phase 2 Trial - No abstract
Prophylactic Administration of the Monoclonal Antibody Adintrevimab Protects against SARS-CoV-2 in Hamster and Non-Human Primate Models of COVID-19 - No abstract
Inhibited personality traits, internalizing symptoms, and drinking to cope during the COVID-19 pandemic among emerging adults - No abstract
Pattern enrichment analysis for phage selection of stapled peptide ligands - No abstract
Pea eggplant (Solanum torvum Swartz) is a source of plant food polyphenols with SARS-CoV inhibiting potential - No abstract
Identification of two specific transcriptomic clusters of COVID-19 ARDS patients with different immune profiles and different outcomes - No abstract
Covalent CES2 Inhibitors Protect against Reduced Formation of Intestinal Organoids by the Anticancer Drug Irinotecan - No abstract
Host-directed therapy with 2-Deoxy-D-glucose inhibits human rhinoviruses, endemic coronaviruses, and SARS-CoV-2 - No abstract
Identification of a pharmacological approach to reduce ACE2 expression and development of an in vitro COVID-19 viral entry model - No abstract